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North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group

A community-based effort to identify proactive solutions to combat the chronic coastal erosion and beach loss along the North Shore of Oʻahu.

What's at stake?

The North Shore of O'ahu is one of the most unique and special places on Earth. The majority (73%) of beaches on the North Shore, however, are presently undergoing chronic erosion. To compound this situation, nearly a third of the beachfront homes on the North Shore sit within 20 feet of the shoreline. Protection of private property has resulted in further loss of the public beach and impacts to the coastal environment. 

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Our ocean, waves and beaches are everything. Let’s save them.

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Proactive Solutions

The North Shore Coastal Resilience Working Group (NSCRWG) was launched by the Surfrider Foundation, Surfrider's Oʻahu Chapter, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College, and consulting firm SSFM International to proactively address accelerated beach loss and improve community resilience on the North Shore. In 2021 and 2022, the NSCRWG sought to facilitate meaningful, community-driven discussions related to the future of coastal management on the North Shore. The Working Group released a report detailing critical concerns and recommendations for immediate action.

Read the Report

Critical Concerns Related to Community Vulnerability & Coastal Resource Management

During these conversations, the group identified seven critical concerns that must be remedied to proactively and holistically support the North Shore community adapt to severe coastal erosion. While the issues are specific to the North Shore, they are relevant to beachfront communities statewide and may serve as a starting point for similar discussions in other communities.

1. Immediate erosion threats and impacts to homes, highways and public infrastructure

2. Lack of options and transparent, publicly-shared guidelines for homeowners impacted by shoreline erosion 

3. Increasing erosion and flood risks with climate change and sea level rise

4. Damaged and limited public beach access due to erosion, beach loss and inappropriate response measures

5. Environmental impacts of unauthorized and expired materials on the shoreline

6. Lack of cohesive policy framework and financing mechanisms for managed retreat

7. Absence of a comprehensive coastal erosion strategy and long-term vision for the North Shore

 

6 Recommendations for Immediate Action 

In addition to the critical concerns outlined above, the NSCRWG also identified six recommendations for immediate action to be taken by relevant organizations, agencies, and policy-makers.

1. Improve guidelines and limitations for emergency shoreline erosion management and strengthen enforcement against unauthorized work and materials

2. Establish a statewide managed retreat program, with the North Shore as a pilot area, to provide a pathway for affected landowners to voluntarily vacate affected properties and utilize shoreline areas for public benefit 

3. Improve interagency coordination for shoreline erosion and flood management, which overlaps jurisdictional and ownership boundaries

4. Develop a beach and dune management plan for North Shore beach parks and accessways, including guidelines that may be transferable to efforts fronting privately owned lands

5. Develop a comprehensive climate change and sea level rise vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy for the North Shore

6. Continue the NSCRWG and expand community discussions, engagement and outreach

 

Next Steps

Utilizing the concerns and recommendations identified in the Working Group Report, next steps include:

  • Supporting legislation to limit emergency shoreline hardening permits
  • Supporting state and county legislation to fund and implement managed retreat
  • Engaging state (Department of Land and Natural Resources) and County (Department of Planning and Permitting) to improve interagency coordination for shoreline erosion and flood management
  • Continuing community outreach and engagement related to coastal erosion solutions on the North Shore
  • Developing a beach and dune management plan for North Shore beach parks
  • Building community voice for the protection of our public beaches
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